The Clifton Suspension Bridge must be one of the most famous and photographed bridges in the world.
It was planned as early as 1753 and was the subject of a number of design competitions.
St Vincents Rock and Hotwells c1756 Thomas Smith
Hotwells by William Turner c1790
Painting of Hotwells – c1790
After violent riots against a toll on Bristol Bridge (‘The Bridge’ at that point) in 1793, architect William Bridges unveiled a proposal for a new bridge that would pay for itself. He suggested a structure across the Avon Gorge in the spot where the Brunel-designed Clifton Suspension Bridge now stands. His design was so fantastic and otherworldly that the bridge that was ultimately built seems ordinary in comparison.
The multi-storey arch was to be flanked by six 40-ft storeys of rooms and galleries, containing homes, a granary, corn exchange, chapel and tavern, museums, general market, a library, a nautical school, offices, and stables. It would also feature a stone wharf on the Somerset side
Bridges was convinced the eye-wateringly expensive development would eventually amply repay investors, according to Eugene Byrne, the author of Unbuilt Bristol: The City That Might Have Been 1750-2050. However, it never raised the funds to go ahead.
William Bridges’ original design. Illustration – The Brunel Institute
A digital depiction of architect William Bridges’ 1793 proposal – Produced by Quid Corner
A painting by Francis Danby in 1822 shows the Avon Gorge from Ashton Meadows before the bridge.
The View from Clifton Down back down the Gorge before the bridge – Painting by Francis Danby
Francis Greenacre Bristol Art HistorianThomas Telford’s design 1829-30 Watercolour attributed to William WestIK Brunel’s Giant Hole Design December 1830 Watercolour by William West
Building of Brunel’s design started on 12th June 1831 but was halted by the Bristol Riots later the same year.
PBAN6518, Engraving of the rioters in Queens Square circa 1831
The building stopped again in 1840 this time because of lack of funds.
Hotwells 1850 – Reece Winstone
Clifton from Leigh Woods c1850
1851 watercolour showing Clifton-side tower of bridge and the observatory
The two towers in circa 1851 – Dr Brittan
Nearing completion 8th December 1864 – Reece Winstone
Engraving Gateway to Clifton Suspension Bridge – Being Brunel
Clifton Suspension Bridge – Western Daily Press 1864
C1865 – Reece Winstone
A modified Brunel design was then finally built and the bridge opened in 1864. Sadly Brunel was no longer with us as he had died in 1859.
Black Eagle boiler exploded Clifton Bridge 1 Nov 1866 All seven crew killed – Bristol Museums York Collection 3473Barque Kilmenny towed in Ballast possibly to load up with steam coal from South Wales – Bristol Museums York Collection 4916
Opened in 11 March 1893 The Clifton Rocks Railway enabled people arriving by train or paddle steamer at the Hotwells Landing Stages to travel up to Clifton.
Alternatively you could arrive at Clifton Bridge Railway Station at Rownham on the Portishead line, opened in 1866, and get the Rownham Ferry across to Hotwells.
Hotwells Halt by Samuel Loxton 1919 – Bristol Railway Stations, 1840-2005 by Mike Oakley,
Port and Pier Railway 1870s – Reece Winstone
Port and Pier Railway at Hotwells 1898 – Reece Winstone
Port and Pier Railway Station 1922 – Reece Winstone
Hotwells Railway Station in the 1890s
Port and Pier Railway Station pre 1921 – Reece Winstone
Site of Hotwells Railway Station in 2018
Hotwells Railway Station (originally called Clifton ) opened in 1865 and was connected to the port railway to Avonmouth. In 1871 it was taken over by Great Western Railway who connected it to Temple Meads via the tunnel under the Clifton Downs. The station was removed in 1921 to enable the building of the Portway Road.
Hotwells Landing Stages in 2016
Hotwell Landing Stage c 1880 – Reece Winstone
PBAN4298, View of the River Avon taken from the Suspension Bridge. Bratt liner Monica Bratt is passing the Hotwells Pontoon c1963
Hotwells from Clifton Suspension Bridge
PBA906 Shipping on river showing Suspension Bridge
Vessels -ss “Burrington Combe”, another aft and a Bratt Line ship aft of this. These vessels are dressed up with flags – civic occasion? Repair work under way on the river wall.
PBAN5228a MV Gertrud Bratt being towed by tug Sea Alert, passing under the Suspension Bridge.
SS Westward Ho Hotwells Landing Stage c1937 – Reece Winstone
Clifton Suspension Bridge from Rownham Ferry c 1875 – Reece Winstone
Clifton c1920
P & A Campbell Passenger Steamer
Hotwells Paddle Steamer
Speed Boat Racing 1936 – Reece Winstone
PBA2062 Spring Tide, 18th March 1953. 37ft 9 ins – ‘Lakewood’ inbound.
The Grand Spa Pump Room was opened on the rock above in Clifton in 1894.
Grand Spa Ballroom 1894
Alternatively you could arrive at Clifton Bridge Railway Station at Rownham on the Portishead line, opened in 1866, and get the Rownham Ferry across to Hotwells.
Hotwells from Rownham Hill- WH Bartlett-c1840
The Rownham Ferry is known to have operated in 1200.
Old Station Bridge by Steve DanielsClifton Suspension Bridge with the plug out September 2020 MV Balmoral Engineer Picture of suspension bridge crossed with London Bridge and Menai Bridge